Choosing GPS

[sesmith]

Scott,
Nothing will talk to your simrad wp32, as far as I know. We had one of those on our boat when we bought it. It was kludgy, at best, but it was good enough to tease me into knowing I just had to have an autopilot. When it finally broke for good, I didn't shed a tear...replaced it with a Raymarine EV100. Much better unit. I have not tried to tie it in with our Garmin plotter, though, but it should be possible.

 

[Meriachee]

This is what my helm looks like, and I am trying to get ideas of how to mount the C80

Probably the easiest way is to get a taller rail. Then you can use all the existing stuff the way it is, and put a shiny new Navpod smack dab in the middle.

 

[bletso]

Why not install Opencpn. You can interface your GPS, radar etc with it and you have a chart plotter

 

[Nick]

Have you seen this instrument pod that attaches to the binnacle post? I would like this pod for my Lowrance 7 touchpad... there are also side pods for other instruments like knot & depth or other instruments.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Whatever you do, make absolutely sure that you can still grab the binnacle handhold. It's a safety issue.

 

[pateco]

Probably the easiest way is to get a taller rail. Then you can use all the existing stuff the way it is, and put a shiny new Navpod smack dab in the middle.

I think that may be what I have to do. I may have found a good used pod for the C8 online, but I need to check my stainless rail spacing to see if it will fit. If it will, then I need to get a taller stainless rail made so that there is room for the Nav Pod.

 

[Meriachee]

I need to get a taller stainless rail made

Garhauer. Quite possibly in stock, and if not can be made very cost effective to the specs you want.

 

[Ward H]

Hi Scott, Merry Christmas to you and Sue! Too bad our boats are not in the water. We'd be sailing this weekend.

I have to admit a lot of what your asking and others are discussing is over my head and more complicated than I plan to get into but I do have one suggestion.
Try this link.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/semperfifishing-marine-electronics-transducer-sales-135/
A lot of real good info on marine electronics.

In the spring I bought a Garmin 54DV but quickly changed my mind when I fell into a good deal on a Garmin 547XS. Main reason I liked the 547XS was the 54DV screen was landscape oriented for displaying GPS Map and Fish finder split screen. (Most GPS units appear to be)
The 547XS screen was more portrait oriented and since I use the GPS map full screen with depth just as a back up to my dedicated depth finder, I liked that I could see more of the map in front of me. I also liked the WiFi to talk to my iPad also.
I found the 547XS screen plenty big for my use but I did admire and consider the Lawrence 7" touch screen but since I planned to use a swing arm to swing it into the companion way I thought it would be a bit wide for my use. The 7" touch screens do look real sweet.

If your looking for a low cost solution for a bigger GPS until you get your full system together, I know where you can find a 54DV cheap. It will be on SBO later this winter.

I sure hope this weather doesn't translate into a late opening season for us.

Enjoy the holidays!
Ward

 

[druid]

Yikes - I'll still take a good compass and some paper charts

Lloyd (although I admit I do like Herr Garmin...)

 

[druid]

I'm with Brian on this one: KISS. There was a sailor who tried to sail around the world from Victoria BC. She had to be towed in at San Fransisco because she'd let her batteries run down and couldn't start the engine. Why was this such a problem? Because ALL HER NAV EQUIPMENT WAS ELECTRONIC. Without the batteries, she had no idea even where she was. Thanks, but I'll take a compass, paper charts, and maybe a sextant for offshore (sure, I'll have a GPS as well, but won't depend on it).

druid

 

[Meriachee]

Stuff like that isn't such a great case for avoiding technology. Anybody who doesn't take into account the full and complete picture really only has themselves to blame.
Run the radio in your car for a while and then try to start it. The radio will always run after the point where there's enough reserve to start the car. That shouldn't make a case for walking.

 

[druid]

Try running the radio (or more accurately, the GPS) for several says straight and see if it still works...

druid

 

[Meriachee]

That was my point. It's also why a growing number of people have solar installations. We'd rather boat than have to worry if the gps is on. (it usually is)

 

[druid]

MY point was the reliance on electronics. I get the feeling that there are those on this board who wouldn't THINK of leaving the dock without a GPS/Chartplotter/Radar/AIS/VHF/AH, all networked together (and some sail in LAKES!), while I just finished a book about a guy that sailed a 36ft boat around the world with nothing but a compass, sextant, and the charts of the day (1800's - a lot of the ocean was not even charted back then).
And all that stuff depends on your battery and pretty much not getting wet. If you ARE one of those sailors, be sure you at least have a compass and a few charts and know how to use them for when your battery system shorts out.

druid